Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 1.0% in May

Washington, DC, July 5, 2016—New orders for manufactured goods in May, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $4.6 billion or 1.0% to $455.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau has reported.

This followed a 1.8% April increase.

Shipments, up three consecutive months, increased $0.2 billion or virtually unchanged to $456.5 billion. This followed a 0.4% April increase.

Unfilled orders, up four of the last five months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.2% to $1,138.9 billion. This followed a 0.6% April increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.90, down from 6.94 in April.

Inventories, down twelve of the last thirteen months, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.1% to $619.7 billion. This followed a 0.1% April decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.36, unchanged from April.